Why Scotia isn’t Class A champs just yet

The Tartans are the odds on favorites in the A's but no one should sleep on schools who could crash their party (Times Union).

After their second consecutive run to the sectional finals produced a title last March, the Scotia-Glenville Tartans proved they’re becoming a power in Class A, but a power isn’t unbeatable.

This season, the Tartans earned the Class A number one seed after going undefeated, outscoring opponents by 34 points a game, and capturing the Foothills Council title by five and a half games over Glens Falls. Led by an inside tandom, Joe Cremo (21.4 ppg), sophomore, and Andrew Tabbert (18.3 ppg), senior, the Tartans have only had two teams come within 20 points, Cohoes (12 points on Dec. 27) and Queensbury (18 points on Feb. 11).

Although Scotia has had such success; their ability to compete against teams battle tested in the Suburban and Big 10 is uncertain. These teams (Burnt Hills, Averill Park, Mohonasen, Amsterdam, and Gibbons) play a schedule filled mostly with Class AA opponents, including CBA, Troy, Shen, Shaker, and Bethlehem, which has them preparing for sectionals against some of the best players and teams in the area. Scotia has done impressively well, leading a balanced attack (averaging six threes a game) while playing solid defense (allowin 42 ppg), but their lack of competition at even close to their level raises questions about how they can handle the adversity of a close game with a team which plays at a faster, more intense pace.
Scotia is the number one seed and the favorite to represent Section II in the Class A state tournament, but by no means should anyone hand them the trophy before the games are played.

With Section II All-Stars, Robbie Knightes and Austin Nydeggar, Burnt Hills (the two seed) has the athleticism and shot making ability to push the Tartans defense.

Along with the Spartans, Averill Park and Mohonasen out of the Suburban has both shown some fight, as of late, which could make them dangerous in this win or go home tournament setting.

Finally, the Rams of Amsterdam have shown their capability to play with the big boys, putting in solid performances against CBA, Schenectady, and Catholic Central while also defeating Gibbons (their only A opponent) in both meetings.